San Carlo ai Catinari 1665

Giovanni Battista Falda made this etching of San Carlo ai Catinari in Rome sometime before 1678. Falda gives us a bird's-eye view of the Piazza and Church, the buildings rendered with precision, and populated with figures and carriages that convey the life of the city. This etching gives us insight into the role of the Catholic Church as a major patron of the arts in 17th-century Rome. The church was at the heart of the city's social and cultural life, using art and architecture to project power. Falda's focus on the urban environment and the figures populating the square also tells us about the social function of these spaces. They were places of encounter, commerce, and spectacle, reflecting the dynamism of the city. By examining archival records, architectural plans, and other visual representations of Rome, we can better understand the historical context in which Falda's etching was created. This image offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex relationship between art, religion, and society in Baroque Rome.